• They aim to the alignment with all farming sectors across Canada
The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) became Canadian Seafood Farmers / Producteurs Aquacoles Canadiens. According to the group, the new name, which reflects the national association’s alignment with all farming sectors across Canada, was voted on unanimously by members at the Annual General Meeting recently held. The new name comes as the Government of Canada makes economic resilience a central priority, and as food producers face a challenging trade environment.
Canadian Seafood Farmers will roll out its new brand across communications and channels over the coming weeks, including an Advocacy Day and Parliamentary Reception in Ottawa, on November 24.
“Aquaculture is agriculture, and our members are focused on responsibly growing, harvesting and processing Product of Canada seafood for grocery stores,” said Timothy Kennedy, CAIA’s President & CEO. And he added: “As Prime Minister Carney implements the new National Food Security Strategy, our farmers can grow more here, process more here and put more Canadian seafood on Canadian plates.”
Canadian Seafood Farmers also elected its 2026-27 Board of Directors at the AGM. Directors represent producers, service and equipment suppliers, Indigenous-owned and community-partnered enterprises, feed and animal-health suppliers, science researchers and regional aquaculture associations from across Canada.
“Grow More of It, Here at Home”
From CAIA highlighted that, globally, aquaculture farming is the fastest growing and most environmentally sustainable animal food production sector now making up 60% of the world’s total seafood consumption. Canada has a window of opportunity now to secure billions of dollars of ocean economy investment in aquaculture production and create thousands more full-time year-round jobs given its expansive coastline.
According to Joel Richardson, Chair of the Board and Vice President of Public Relations at family-owned Cooke Aquaculture, based in New Brunswick, “generations of Canadians have been farming seafood, and they want to grow more of it here at home, which provides huge social and economic benefits to rural and urban communities given our massive supply chain depth into towns and cities.”
“Aquaculture science can be used for more wild salmon recovery projects, takes pressure off wild stocks and protects the ocean through regulations. The federal government has a responsibility to align with successful provincial government aquaculture growth strategies to build a more affordable and resilient food system in Canada. Seafood farming is also youthful with highest agricultural employee retention rate in one of the most technologically advanced farming sectors. It’s ideally suited for Canadians and for our waters,” Richardson added.
Strong Focus
The new Canadian Seafood Farmers is focused on advancing its mandate as an essential and growing part of the food sector in Canada: starting for a positive path for British Columbia salmon farming (where the federal government has established a June 2029 deadline for the removal of net-pen salmon farms); science-based policy certainty that protects jobs; supports First Nations and coastal communities; and delivers Canadian-grown salmon, they explained.
Also, in the recognition of seafood farming as farming; ensuring Canadian seafood farmers have the same supports and federal leadership as other food producers; modern management of the shellfish sector; modernizing the federal system that manages the shellfish sector for new production; and reliable supply and high quality.
Shared Priorities in Animal Health and Welfare
Canadian Seafood Farmers contribute USD 4.27 billion in economic activity, USD 1.64 billion in GDP, and 18,000 jobs across Canada, with over CAD 1 billion in annual export value. Canadian Seafood Farmers works alongside Canada’s broader food and agriculture community to advance a resilient, competitive and sustainable Canadian food system.
Through its membership in and engagement with organizations including the Canadian Animal Health Institute, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council, Canadian Centre for Food Integrity, Canadian Federation of Agriculture and National Farm Animal Care Council, Canadian Seafood Farmers supports shared priorities in animal health and welfare, skilled labor, public trust, trade, food security and responsible food production.
Last June, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) welcomed CAIA -now Canadian Seafood Farmers- as a Friend of CAFTA, reflecting the critical role that exports, market access and predictable trade conditions play across Canada’s agri-food economy. Friends of CAFTA are associated organizations that support the alliance’s mission and shared trade priorities.
CAIA, which represents Canada’s finfish, shellfish and aquatic plant farmers, as well as feed companies and suppliers, added then the voice of Canada’s aquaculture sector to CAFTA’s alliance of export-oriented food and agriculture organizations.
